Ball Speed

Measured in miles per hour, Ball speed is how fast the ball is going after it has been struck. Faster ball speed leads to greater distance.

Bounce

Measurement in degrees of the angle from the front edge of a club’s sole to the point that actually rests on the ground at address. Bounce is basically how easily the golf club digs or cuts into the ground. The lower the bounce, the more knifelike a wedge is. The higher the bounce of a wedge, the more it will resist digging and be more apt to actually bounce off the ground.

Club Head Speed

The speed that the club head travels through impact of the ball. The faster the club head speed, the longer the shot.

Flex

A rating of a golf club shaft’s ability to bend during the golf swing. All shafts, no matter how stiff, exhibit flex under the forces of the golf swing. Flex is generally rated as Extra Stiff, Stiff, Regular, Senior, and Ladies.

Frequency

A precise method of measuring shaft flex. Cool Clubs determines frequency based on the length of the club and the units of frequency measurement known as cycles per minute (CPM). A shaft with a higher frequency (more CPMs) is stiffer than one with a lower frequency (fewer CPMs). A shaft with a frequency of 8.0 is very stiff and a shaft with 1.0 frequency is very soft.

Kickpoint (or Bend)

The point along a shaft’s length at which it exhibits the greatest amount of bend when the tip is pulled down. Ball flight is affected by the location of the kickpoint. Lower kickpoints result in higher ball-flight, while higher kickpoints result in lower, more boring ball flights.

Launch Angle

Launch angle is the initial elevation angle of the ball (with respect to the ground) immediately after impact with the club head.

Lie

The angle created by the shaft and sole of the golf club. Basically, how the club sits on the ground. The best lie angle for you is one that allows the club to rest squarely on its sole when you address the ball. Proper lie angle will help you keep the clubface square at impact and produce more accurate golf shots.

Loft

The angle of the clubface in relation to the shaft. The loft of your club determines how high you will hit it. The higher the loft of the club, the higher the ball flight.

Spin Rate

Measured in revolutions per minute (RPM), it is how many times the ball rotates in a given time and directly affects ball flight. Spin generates lift, thus a shot’s spin rate directly influences how high the ball flies and how quickly it stops after landing.

Swing Weight

Basically how the weight of the club feels during the swing. Represents the weight distribution between the head and grip of the golf club. Length of the club, head weight, grip weight, and graphite vs. steel shaft are determinants of swing weight.

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